Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore County courthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended he spend 25 years in prison on the charges.

“I don’t think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,” C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. “We are very pleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25 years.”

Judge Reynolds said Smith seemed to show no remorse for his crimes during the trial and did not apologize. He also overhead the teen say, “I don’t have time for this.”

“You got plenty of time for this,” Reynolds told Smith before announcing the sentence. “When I called the case earlier you said you ain’t got time for this, so I didn’t know if you had time for this now?”

Smith laughed and said he did not know Reynolds heard his comment.

“You just don’t get it, do you?” Reynolds asked. "He hasn't said I'm sorry yet. He hasn't acknowledged to this court that he shouldn't have done, shouldn't have come around, in fact, his attitude toward this court and life, in general, has been sour.”

Smith’s grandfather pleaded with the judge and the teen to give him a chance to apologize.

“He’s had every opportunity,” Reynolds said. "I’ve asked two or three times today.”

Smith was charged under Alabama’s accomplice law, “which holds co-defendants can be guilty of murder if a death occurs when they are committing a crime,” the Montgomery Adviser reported.

On Feb. 23, 2015, Smith, along with four other people, broke into two homes in Millbrook. Police responded to calls of the robberies, and the suspects fired at the officer who entered the home they were raiding. The suspects fled the home but continued to fire at the officer.

One of the suspects, A’Donte Washington, 16, of Montgomery, who was armed with a revolver, allegedly pointed a gun at the officer, body cam footage showed. The officer fired at the teenager, killing him.

Smith was charged with Washington’s death despite not firing the shots due to the accomplice law. A grand jury cleared the officer who fired the shots at Washington.

The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 and La’Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of “felony murder, burglary and theft” but have not been sentenced yet."

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65 years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder and theft. (Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years in prison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would have given him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by Judge Sibley Reynolds for “felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree theft,”Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore County courthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended he spend 25 years in prison on the charges.“I don’t think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,” C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. “We are very pleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25 years.”Judge Reynolds said Smith seemed to show no remorse for his crimes during the trial and did not apologize. He also overhead the teen say, “I don’t have time for this.”“You got plenty of time for this,” Reynolds told Smith before announcing the sentence. “When I called the case earlier you said you ain’t got time for this, so I didn’t know if you had time for this now?”Smith laughed and said he did not know Reynolds heard his comment.“You just don’t get it, do you?” Reynolds asked. "He hasn't said I'm sorry yet. He hasn't acknowledged to this court that he shouldn't have done, shouldn't have come around, in fact, his attitude toward this court and life, in general, has been sour.”Smith’s grandfather pleaded with the judge and the teen to give him a chance to apologize.“He’s had every opportunity,” Reynolds said. "I’ve asked two or three times today.”Smith was charged under Alabama’s accomplice law, “which holds co-defendants can be guilty of murder if a death occurs when they are committing a crime,” the Montgomery Adviser reported.On Feb. 23, 2015, Smith, along with four other people, broke into two homes in Millbrook. Police responded to calls of the robberies, and the suspects fired at the officer who entered the home they were raiding. The suspects fled the home but continued to fire at the officer.One of the suspects, A’Donte Washington, 16, of Montgomery, who was armed with a revolver, allegedly pointed a gun at the officer, body cam footage showed. The officer fired at the teenager, killing him.Smith was charged with Washington’s death despite not firing the shots due to the accomplice law. A grand jury cleared the officer who fired the shots at Washington.The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 and La’Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of “felony murder, burglary and theft” but have not been sentenced yet."

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)[snip]The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)[snip]The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)[snip]The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

' If we focus on “weird” African American names in jokes andconversation, it’s because blacks remain at the bottom of America’sracial caste system. “Hunter” is just as unusual as “Malik,” but it’sunderstood as “normal” because of its association with white men. It’sarbitrary, yes, but it reflects who holds power. Indeed, if thesituation were reversed, odds are good there would be plenty of jokesabout “dysfunctional” white people who name their children “Geoff.” '

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)[snip]The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

' If we focus on “weird” African American names in jokes andconversation, it’s because blacks remain at the bottom of America’sracial caste system.

With all due respect Mr. Pig, be careful you don't choke on thatpolitically correct rubbish. It has to do with the desire, or lackof desire, to assimilate into traditional American society.

For example, look at the names Asian parents give their childrenthat are born in America. Nearly all have traditional American names.Right or wrong, politically correct or not, it does helpthe children assimilate into mainstream American society.

Irish Mike

"If you want to piss off a Conservative - tell him a lie.If you want to piss off a Liberal - tell him the truth."

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)[snip]The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

' If we focus on “weird” African American names in jokes andconversation, it’s because blacks remain at the bottom of America’sracial caste system.

With all due respect Mr. Pig, be careful you don't choke on thatpolitically correct rubbish. It has to do with the desire, or lackof desire, to assimilate into traditional American society.For example, look at the names Asian parents give their childrenthat are born in America. Nearly all have traditional American names.Right or wrong, politically correct or not, it does helpthe children assimilate into mainstream American society.

You might want to read the whole article. It's short, interesting, andgave me a bit of new perspective. Meanwhile, the question remains ofwhy you added 'black' to the headline, or whether you'd have posted itwere the defendant white (... which he easily could've been). Afaics,the original article (from FoxNews) didn't use 'black' at all.

Post by moviePigYou might want to read the whole article. It's short, interesting, andgave me a bit of new perspective. Meanwhile, the question remains ofwhy you added 'black' to the headline, or whether you'd have posted itwere the defendant white (... which he easily could've been). Afaics,the original article (from FoxNews) didn't use 'black' at all.

Let me help you wrap your little brain around this.

If I had posted this I would have ADDED BLACK! So you knew 100% who itwas, ie not a white person.

Yes, it would be done to be a bigoted racist person in my case.

Happy now?

Good!

Actually could have just used the name to have the same affect!

lakeith? Or is La Keith? or L'Keith... Really is there something like theGreen Book of old on how to dream up these stupid ass names?

Meanwhile, the question remains of why you added 'black' to the headline,or whether you'd have posted it were the defendant white (... which heeasily could've been). Afaics, the original article (from FoxNews) didn'tuse 'black' at all.

The Fox News article contains a picture, which couldn't be posted here.

Had the story not contained the felony murder twist, most of those siteswould probably have spiked it; and if they had run it, there would havebeen no photo and no mention of race. Look up Coulter's Law.

Meanwhile, the question remains of whether you would have objected tothe mention of race if the story been about the kid winning a medal forvalor -- or if the perp had been white.

Meanwhile, the question remains of why you added 'black' to the headline,or whether you'd have posted it were the defendant white (... which heeasily could've been). Afaics, the original article (from FoxNews) didn'tuse 'black' at all.

The Fox News article contains a picture, which couldn't be posted here.<http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/07/ala-teen-turns-down-25-year-plea-deal-gets-sentenced-to-65-years-instead-and-laughs.html>So did the other sites, even The Root, that ran the story.<https://www.theroot.com/alabama-teen-gets-65-years-for-death-of-friend-killed-b-1825071334><https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lakeith-smith-adonte-washington-sentence-murder_us_5ac8df6de4b09d0a11943ba4><http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/teen-turns-25-year-prison-offer-65-years-article-1.3918431><https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/04/05/teen-accomplice-sentenced-65-years/492001002/>Had the story not contained the felony murder twist, most of those siteswould probably have spiked it; and if they had run it, there would havebeen no photo and no mention of race. Look up Coulter's Law.Meanwhile, the question remains of whether you would have objected tothe mention of race if the story been about the kid winning a medal forvalor -- or if the perp had been white.

Someone upthread edits the word 'black' into the headline and you cannotmanage to figure out that the person is a racist? Instead you try topretend that you are playing Devil's advocate and you question if therewould be an objection if a poster had surreptitiously added the word'white' to a headline?

Meanwhile, the question remains of why you added 'black' to the headline,or whether you'd have posted it were the defendant white (... which heeasily could've been). Afaics, the original article (from FoxNews) didn'tuse 'black' at all.

The Fox News article contains a picture, which couldn't be posted here.<http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/07/ala-teen-turns-down-25-year-plea-deal-gets-sentenced-to-65-years-instead-and-laughs.html>So did the other sites, even The Root, that ran the story.<https://www.theroot.com/alabama-teen-gets-65-years-for-death-of-friend-killed-b-1825071334><https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lakeith-smith-adonte-washington-sentence-murder_us_5ac8df6de4b09d0a11943ba4><http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/teen-turns-25-year-prison-offer-65-years-article-1.3918431><https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/04/05/teen-accomplice-sentenced-65-years/492001002/>Had the story not contained the felony murder twist, most of those siteswould probably have spiked it; and if they had run it, there would havebeen no photo and no mention of race. Look up Coulter's Law.Meanwhile, the question remains of whether you would have objected tothe mention of race if the story been about the kid winning a medal forvalor -- or if the perp had been white.

"Black teen wins medal"... Hmm. Yeah, that seems questionable.

"White teen laughs at 25 years"... Yeah, so does that.

Meanwhile, it's harder to infer editorial intent from a photo (worth athousand words) than from a headline (worth a chosen few). But, sure,I'll listen to a justification of adding 'black' to the header here...

Post by moviePigMeanwhile, it's harder to infer editorial intent from a photo (worth athousand words) than from a headline (worth a chosen few). But, sure,I'll listen to a justification of adding 'black' to the header here...

Your baroque pseudo-rules about when it is and when it isn't permissibleto mention race are really just anti-white racism.

Post by moviePigMeanwhile, it's harder to infer editorial intent from a photo (worth athousand words) than from a headline (worth a chosen few). But, sure,I'll listen to a justification of adding 'black' to the header here...

Your baroque pseudo-rules about when it is and when it isn't permissibleto mention race are really just anti-white racism.

Not sure how my question becomes a "rule", except perhaps as a way toavoid answering it. But maybe the inventive label of 'anti-whiteracist' will serve that purpose...

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)[snip]The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

' If we focus on “weird” African American names in jokes andconversation, it’s because blacks remain at the bottom of America’sracial caste system.

With all due respect Mr. Pig, be careful you don't choke on thatpolitically correct rubbish. It has to do with the desire, or lackof desire, to assimilate into traditional American society.

So white assholes dragged them here from Africa, and you're emulatingtheir assholishness by saying their supposed to be "assimilate intotraditional American society"? What aspect of Native Americans are theysupposed to assimilate into, exactly?

---This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.https://www.avast.com/antivirus

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

'If we focus on "weird" African American names in jokes andconversation, it's because blacks remain at the bottom of America'sracial caste system. "Hunter" is just as unusual as "Malik", but it'sunderstood as "normal" because of its association with white men. It'sarbitrary, yes, but it reflects who holds power. Indeed, if thesituation were reversed, odds are good there would be plenty of jokesabout "dysfunctional" white people who name their children 'Geoff."'

But even assuming your argument, one's job as a parent is to give yourkid the best shot possible in the world, so knowing the power dynamicand racial issues in America, why would you saddle your kid withJhavarske or D'Brickashaw instead of Michael or Robert? If you believein the racist model of America, then you believe that your kid isalready starting out at a disadvantage, so why handicap him/her evenfurther with names like that? Why not give your kids every possibleadvantage you can?

There's not even any 'black history' justification for those names. Goto Kenya or Nigeria or Rwanda and you won't find any Jhavarskes orD'Brickashaws or La'Queeshas. Those are wholly invented by Americans whothink they sound exotic and traditionally African but don't have anyAfrican etiology at all.

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

'If we focus on "weird" African American names in jokes andconversation, it's because blacks remain at the bottom of America'sracial caste system. "Hunter" is just as unusual as "Malik", but it'sunderstood as "normal" because of its association with white men. It'sarbitrary, yes, but it reflects who holds power. Indeed, if thesituation were reversed, odds are good there would be plenty of jokesabout "dysfunctional" white people who name their children 'Geoff."'

Oh, for god's sake.Even Key & Peele have mocked silly black athlete names. Key & Peele areblack themselves. Are they being racist against themselves?http://youtu.be/gODZzSOelssBut even assuming your argument, one's job as a parent is to give yourkid the best shot possible in the world, so knowing the power dynamicand racial issues in America, why would you saddle your kid withJhavarske or D'Brickashaw instead of Michael or Robert? If you believein the racist model of America, then you believe that your kid isalready starting out at a disadvantage, so why handicap him/her evenfurther with names like that? Why not give your kids every possibleadvantage you can?There's not even any 'black history' justification for those names. Goto Kenya or Nigeria or Rwanda and you won't find any Jhavarskes orD'Brickashaws or La'Queeshas. Those are wholly invented by Americans whothink they sound exotic and traditionally African but don't have anyAfrican etiology at all.

Read the (short) article. While we're free to proffer parenting advice,we do well to remember that different cultures have their own priorities-- where, e.g., kowtowing to white dominance might be viewed negatively.

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

'If we focus on "weird" African American names in jokes andconversation, it's because blacks remain at the bottom of America'sracial caste system. "Hunter" is just as unusual as "Malik", but it'sunderstood as "normal" because of its association with white men. It'sarbitrary, yes, but it reflects who holds power. Indeed, if thesituation were reversed, odds are good there would be plenty of jokesabout "dysfunctional" white people who name their children 'Geoff."'

Oh, for god's sake.Even Key & Peele have mocked silly black athlete names. Key & Peele areblack themselves. Are they being racist against themselves?http://youtu.be/gODZzSOelssBut even assuming your argument, one's job as a parent is to give yourkid the best shot possible in the world, so knowing the power dynamicand racial issues in America, why would you saddle your kid withJhavarske or D'Brickashaw instead of Michael or Robert? If you believein the racist model of America, then you believe that your kid isalready starting out at a disadvantage, so why handicap him/her evenfurther with names like that? Why not give your kids every possibleadvantage you can?There's not even any 'black history' justification for those names. Goto Kenya or Nigeria or Rwanda and you won't find any Jhavarskes orD'Brickashaws or La'Queeshas. Those are wholly invented by Americans whothink they sound exotic and traditionally African but don't have anyAfrican etiology at all.

Read the (short) article. While we're free to proffer parenting advice,we do well to remember that different cultures have their own priorities-- where, e.g., kowtowing to white dominance might be viewed negatively.

If you're using your kid as a political statement to his/her detriment,you're failing as a parent.

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

'If we focus on "weird" African American names in jokes andconversation, it's because blacks remain at the bottom of America'sracial caste system. "Hunter" is just as unusual as "Malik", but it'sunderstood as "normal" because of its association with white men. It'sarbitrary, yes, but it reflects who holds power. Indeed, if thesituation were reversed, odds are good there would be plenty of jokesabout "dysfunctional" white people who name their children 'Geoff."'

Oh, for god's sake.Even Key & Peele have mocked silly black athlete names. Key & Peele areblack themselves. Are they being racist against themselves?http://youtu.be/gODZzSOelssBut even assuming your argument, one's job as a parent is to give yourkid the best shot possible in the world, so knowing the power dynamicand racial issues in America, why would you saddle your kid withJhavarske or D'Brickashaw instead of Michael or Robert? If you believein the racist model of America, then you believe that your kid isalready starting out at a disadvantage, so why handicap him/her evenfurther with names like that? Why not give your kids every possibleadvantage you can?There's not even any 'black history' justification for those names. Goto Kenya or Nigeria or Rwanda and you won't find any Jhavarskes orD'Brickashaws or La'Queeshas. Those are wholly invented by Americans whothink they sound exotic and traditionally African but don't have anyAfrican etiology at all.

Read the (short) article. While we're free to proffer parenting advice,we do well to remember that different cultures have their own priorities-- where, e.g., kowtowing to white dominance might be viewed negatively.

If you're using your kid as a political statement to his/her detriment,you're failing as a parent.

Enlisting one's own children to a political/cultural cause is atime-honored American tradition, regardless of whether you (or I)personally subscribe to it. One definition of a 'good parent' issomeone who brings what he believes he has to offer...

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

'If we focus on "weird" African American names in jokes andconversation, it's because blacks remain at the bottom of America'sracial caste system. "Hunter" is just as unusual as "Malik", but it'sunderstood as "normal" because of its association with white men. It'sarbitrary, yes, but it reflects who holds power. Indeed, if thesituation were reversed, odds are good there would be plenty of jokesabout "dysfunctional" white people who name their children 'Geoff."'

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

'If we focus on "weird" African American names in jokes andconversation, it's because blacks remain at the bottom of America'sracial caste system. "Hunter" is just as unusual as "Malik", but it'sunderstood as "normal" because of its association with white men. It'sarbitrary, yes, but it reflects who holds power. Indeed, if thesituation were reversed, odds are good there would be plenty of jokesabout "dysfunctional" white people who name their children 'Geoff."'

Excellent point. Being black, they're also allowed to use the N word.Oh, that makes your point garbage then.

The "silly black athlete" name that comes readily to mind is 'Isiah(sic)Thomas', which I've assumed was a parental misspelling that he's chosento honor in some sort of filial piety. Personally, I see littlehonorable in promulgating ignorance, but it's his informed choice.

Post by i***@gmail.comLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 andLa'Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of "felony murder,burglary and theft" but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

It *does* seem rather redundant, doesn't it?

'If we focus on "weird" African American names in jokes andconversation, it's because blacks remain at the bottom of America'sracial caste system. "Hunter" is just as unusual as "Malik", but it'sunderstood as "normal" because of its association with white men. It'sarbitrary, yes, but it reflects who holds power. Indeed, if thesituation were reversed, odds are good there would be plenty of jokesabout "dysfunctional" white people who name their children 'Geoff."'

Excellent point. Being black, they're also allowed to use the N word.Oh, that makes your point garbage then.

The "silly black athlete" name that comes readily to mind is 'Isiah(sic)Thomas', which I've assumed was a parental misspelling that he's chosento honor in some sort of filial piety. Personally, I see littlehonorable in promulgating ignorance, but it's his informed choice.

Post by BTR1701But even assuming your argument, one's job as a parent is to give yourkid the best shot possible in the world, so knowing the power dynamicand racial issues in America, why would you saddle your kid withJhavarske or D'Brickashaw instead of Michael or Robert?

Personally I don't find Jhavarske or D'Brickashaw that much more weirdthan Skyler or some other favorite white "creative" name.

Read something a while back about how some parents give their kidsstrange names because they think it will cause their kids to be uniquein ways other than just their name, when studies show those kids are nomore unique than other kids with a common name.

Post by BTR1701But even assuming your argument, one's job as a parent is to give yourkid the best shot possible in the world, so knowing the power dynamicand racial issues in America, why would you saddle your kid withJhavarske or D'Brickashaw instead of Michael or Robert?

Personally I don't find Jhavarske or D'Brickashaw that much more weirdthan Skyler or some other favorite white "creative" name.Read something a while back about how some parents give their kidsstrange names because they think it will cause their kids to be uniquein ways other than just their name, when studies show those kids are nomore unique than other kids with a common name.

The tiresome hubris of parents regarding how 'special' their spawn areknows no racial or ethnic boundaries.

Post by BTR1701But even assuming your argument, one's job as a parent is to give yourkid the best shot possible in the world, so knowing the power dynamicand racial issues in America, why would you saddle your kid withJhavarske or D'Brickashaw instead of Michael or Robert?

Personally I don't find Jhavarske or D'Brickashaw that much more weirdthan Skyler or some other favorite white "creative" name.Read something a while back about how some parents give their kidsstrange names because they think it will cause their kids to be uniquein ways other than just their name, when studies show those kids are nomore unique than other kids with a common name.

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65 years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder and theft. (Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years in prison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would have given him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by Judge Sibley Reynolds for “felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree theft,”Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore County courthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended he spend 25 years in prison on the charges.“I don’t think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,” C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. “We are very pleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25 years.”Judge Reynolds said Smith seemed to show no remorse for his crimes during the trial and did not apologize. He also overhead the teen say, “I don’t have time for this.”“You got plenty of time for this,” Reynolds told Smith before announcing the sentence. “When I called the case earlier you said you ain’t got time for this, so I didn’t know if you had time for this now?”Smith laughed and said he did not know Reynolds heard his comment.“You just don’t get it, do you?” Reynolds asked. "He hasn't said I'm sorry yet. He hasn't acknowledged to this court that he shouldn't have done, shouldn't have come around, in fact, his attitude toward this court and life, in general, has been sour.”Smith’s grandfather pleaded with the judge and the teen to give him a chance to apologize.“He’s had every opportunity,” Reynolds said. "I’ve asked two or three times today.”Smith was charged under Alabama’s accomplice law, “which holds co-defendants can be guilty of murder if a death occurs when they are committing a crime,” the Montgomery Adviser reported.On Feb. 23, 2015, Smith, along with four other people, broke into two homes in Millbrook. Police responded to calls of the robberies, and the suspects fired at the officer who entered the home they were raiding. The suspects fled the home but continued to fire at the officer.One of the suspects, A’Donte Washington, 16, of Montgomery, who was armed with a revolver, allegedly pointed a gun at the officer, body cam footage showed. The officer fired at the teenager, killing him.Smith was charged with Washington’s death despite not firing the shots due to the accomplice law. A grand jury cleared the officer who fired the shots at Washington.The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 and La’Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of “felony murder, burglary and theft” but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

Cause white teens don't all have stupid, illiterate made-up names? If I were he courts, I'd check to see if their identities are right. They have to be fake names.

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65 years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder and theft. (Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years in prison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would have given him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by Judge Sibley Reynolds for “felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree theft,”Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore County courthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended he spend 25 years in prison on the charges.“I don’t think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,” C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. “We are very pleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25 years.”Judge Reynolds said Smith seemed to show no remorse for his crimes during the trial and did not apologize. He also overhead the teen say, “I don’t have time for this.”“You got plenty of time for this,” Reynolds told Smith before announcing the sentence. “When I called the case earlier you said you ain’t got time for this, so I didn’t know if you had time for this now?”Smith laughed and said he did not know Reynolds heard his comment.“You just don’t get it, do you?” Reynolds asked. "He hasn't said I'm sorry yet. He hasn't acknowledged to this court that he shouldn't have done, shouldn't have come around, in fact, his attitude toward this court and life, in general, has been sour.”Smith’s grandfather pleaded with the judge and the teen to give him a chance to apologize.“He’s had every opportunity,” Reynolds said. "I’ve asked two or three times today.”Smith was charged under Alabama’s accomplice law, “which holds co-defendants can be guilty of murder if a death occurs when they are committing a crime,” the Montgomery Adviser reported.On Feb. 23, 2015, Smith, along with four other people, broke into two homes in Millbrook. Police responded to calls of the robberies, and the suspects fired at the officer who entered the home they were raiding. The suspects fled the home but continued to fire at the officer.One of the suspects, A’Donte Washington, 16, of Montgomery, who was armed with a revolver, allegedly pointed a gun at the officer, body cam footage showed. The officer fired at the teenager, killing him.Smith was charged with Washington’s death despite not firing the shots due to the accomplice law. A grand jury cleared the officer who fired the shots at Washington.The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 and La’Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of “felony murder, burglary and theft” but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

Cause white teens don't all have stupid, illiterate made-up names? If I were he courts, I'd check to see if their identities are right. They have to be fake names.

Whatever those names may be, they're not 'illiterate'. Read and learn.

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65 years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder and theft. (Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years in prison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would have given him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by Judge Sibley Reynolds for “felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree theft,”Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore County courthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended he spend 25 years in prison on the charges.“I don’t think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,” C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. “We are very pleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25 years.”Judge Reynolds said Smith seemed to show no remorse for his crimes during the trial and did not apologize. He also overhead the teen say, “I don’t have time for this.”“You got plenty of time for this,” Reynolds told Smith before announcing the sentence. “When I called the case earlier you said you ain’t got time for this, so I didn’t know if you had time for this now?”Smith laughed and said he did not know Reynolds heard his comment.“You just don’t get it, do you?” Reynolds asked. "He hasn't said I'm sorry yet. He hasn't acknowledged to this court that he shouldn't have done, shouldn't have come around, in fact, his attitude toward this court and life, in general, has been sour.”Smith’s grandfather pleaded with the judge and the teen to give him a chance to apologize.“He’s had every opportunity,” Reynolds said. "I’ve asked two or three times today.”Smith was charged under Alabama’s accomplice law, “which holds co-defendants can be guilty of murder if a death occurs when they are committing a crime,” the Montgomery Adviser reported.On Feb. 23, 2015, Smith, along with four other people, broke into two homes in Millbrook. Police responded to calls of the robberies, and the suspects fired at the officer who entered the home they were raiding. The suspects fled the home but continued to fire at the officer.One of the suspects, A’Donte Washington, 16, of Montgomery, who was armed with a revolver, allegedly pointed a gun at the officer, body cam footage showed. The officer fired at the teenager, killing him.Smith was charged with Washington’s death despite not firing the shots due to the accomplice law. A grand jury cleared the officer who fired the shots at Washington.The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 and La’Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of “felony murder, burglary and theft” but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

Cause white teens don't all have stupid, illiterate made-up names? If I were he courts, I'd check to see if their identities are right. They have to be fake names.

Whatever those names may be, they're not 'illiterate'. Read and learn.

I particularly like when kids are named after Ancient Roman leaders. At least those names are real.

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65 years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder and theft. (Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years in prison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would have given him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by Judge Sibley Reynolds for “felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree theft,”Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore County courthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended he spend 25 years in prison on the charges.“I don’t think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,” C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. “We are very pleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25 years.”Judge Reynolds said Smith seemed to show no remorse for his crimes during the trial and did not apologize. He also overhead the teen say, “I don’t have time for this.”“You got plenty of time for this,” Reynolds told Smith before announcing the sentence. “When I called the case earlier you said you ain’t got time for this, so I didn’t know if you had time for this now?”Smith laughed and said he did not know Reynolds heard his comment.“You just don’t get it, do you?” Reynolds asked. "He hasn't said I'm sorry yet. He hasn't acknowledged to this court that he shouldn't have done, shouldn't have come around, in fact, his attitude toward this court and life, in general, has been sour.”Smith’s grandfather pleaded with the judge and the teen to give him a chance to apologize.“He’s had every opportunity,” Reynolds said. "I’ve asked two or three times today.”Smith was charged under Alabama’s accomplice law, “which holds co-defendants can be guilty of murder if a death occurs when they are committing a crime,” the Montgomery Adviser reported.On Feb. 23, 2015, Smith, along with four other people, broke into two homes in Millbrook. Police responded to calls of the robberies, and the suspects fired at the officer who entered the home they were raiding. The suspects fled the home but continued to fire at the officer.One of the suspects, A’Donte Washington, 16, of Montgomery, who was armed with a revolver, allegedly pointed a gun at the officer, body cam footage showed. The officer fired at the teenager, killing him.Smith was charged with Washington’s death despite not firing the shots due to the accomplice law. A grand jury cleared the officer who fired the shots at Washington.The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 and La’Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of “felony murder, burglary and theft” but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

Cause white teens don't all have stupid, illiterate made-up names? If I were he courts, I'd check to see if their identities are right. They have to be fake names.

Whatever those names may be, they're not 'illiterate'. Read and learn.

I particularly like when kids are named after Ancient Roman leaders. At least those names are real.

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65 years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder and theft. (Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years in prison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would have given him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by Judge Sibley Reynolds for “felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree theft,”Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore County courthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended he spend 25 years in prison on the charges.“I don’t think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,” C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. “We are very pleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25 years.”Judge Reynolds said Smith seemed to show no remorse for his crimes during the trial and did not apologize. He also overhead the teen say, “I don’t have time for this.”“You got plenty of time for this,” Reynolds told Smith before announcing the sentence. “When I called the case earlier you said you ain’t got time for this, so I didn’t know if you had time for this now?”Smith laughed and said he did not know Reynolds heard his comment.“You just don’t get it, do you?” Reynolds asked. "He hasn't said I'm sorry yet. He hasn't acknowledged to this court that he shouldn't have done, shouldn't have come around, in fact, his attitude toward this court and life, in general, has been sour.”Smith’s grandfather pleaded with the judge and the teen to give him a chance to apologize.“He’s had every opportunity,” Reynolds said. "I’ve asked two or three times today.”Smith was charged under Alabama’s accomplice law, “which holds co-defendants can be guilty of murder if a death occurs when they are committing a crime,” the Montgomery Adviser reported.On Feb. 23, 2015, Smith, along with four other people, broke into two homes in Millbrook. Police responded to calls of the robberies, and the suspects fired at the officer who entered the home they were raiding. The suspects fled the home but continued to fire at the officer.One of the suspects, A’Donte Washington, 16, of Montgomery, who was armed with a revolver, allegedly pointed a gun at the officer, body cam footage showed. The officer fired at the teenager, killing him.Smith was charged with Washington’s death despite not firing the shots due to the accomplice law. A grand jury cleared the officer who fired the shots at Washington.The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 and La’Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of “felony murder, burglary and theft” but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

Cause white teens don't all have stupid, illiterate made-up names? If I were he courts, I'd check to see if their identities are right. They have to be fake names.

"Now three of the defendants will stand trial for other crimes inMontgomery that reportedly occurred before they arrived in ElmoreCounty. Jackson and Hardy are charged with murder in Montgomery Countyand Washington is charged with first-degree robbery and second-degreekidnapping."

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65 years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder and theft. (Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years in prison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would have given him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by Judge Sibley Reynolds for “felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree theft,”Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore County courthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended he spend 25 years in prison on the charges.“I don’t think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,” C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. “We are very pleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25 years.”Judge Reynolds said Smith seemed to show no remorse for his crimes during the trial and did not apologize. He also overhead the teen say, “I don’t have time for this.”“You got plenty of time for this,” Reynolds told Smith before announcing the sentence. “When I called the case earlier you said you ain’t got time for this, so I didn’t know if you had time for this now?”Smith laughed and said he did not know Reynolds heard his comment.“You just don’t get it, do you?” Reynolds asked. "He hasn't said I'm sorry yet. He hasn't acknowledged to this court that he shouldn't have done, shouldn't have come around, in fact, his attitude toward this court and life, in general, has been sour.”Smith’s grandfather pleaded with the judge and the teen to give him a chance to apologize.“He’s had every opportunity,” Reynolds said. "I’ve asked two or three times today.”Smith was charged under Alabama’s accomplice law, “which holds co-defendants can be guilty of murder if a death occurs when they are committing a crime,” the Montgomery Adviser reported.On Feb. 23, 2015, Smith, along with four other people, broke into two homes in Millbrook. Police responded to calls of the robberies, and the suspects fired at the officer who entered the home they were raiding. The suspects fled the home but continued to fire at the officer.One of the suspects, A’Donte Washington, 16, of Montgomery, who was armed with a revolver, allegedly pointed a gun at the officer, body cam footage showed. The officer fired at the teenager, killing him.Smith was charged with Washington’s death despite not firing the shots due to the accomplice law. A grand jury cleared the officer who fired the shots at Washington.The other suspects, Jhavarske Jackson, 23, Jadarien Hardy, 22 and La’Anthony Washington, 22, entered guilty pleas of “felony murder, burglary and theft” but have not been sentenced yet."

Interesting story. Just wondering why 'black' is in the headline.

Cause white teens don't all have stupid, illiterate made-up names? If I were he courts, I'd check to see if their identities are right. They have to be fake names.

http://www.wsfa.com/story/37892195/teen-laughs-before-judge-hands-down-65-year-prison-sentence"Now three of the defendants will stand trial for other crimes inMontgomery that reportedly occurred before they arrived in ElmoreCounty. Jackson and Hardy are charged with murder in Montgomery Countyand Washington is charged with first-degree robbery and second-degreekidnapping."

Your point being that if he was white he would have had thesentence reduced ?

Simple solution Boyo. When you see the words "black" or "white"in a subject line, avert your eyes, lace up your politically correct boots realtight and run as fast as you can to the nearest DSFSP (Designated Snow Flake Safe Place).Do not attempt to leave said DSFSP, until you feel you have fully recovered , mentallyemotionally, spiritually and physically. And remember to aways err on the side of caution.

Your point being that if he was white he would have had thesentence reduced ?

Simple solution Boyo. When you see the words "black" or "white"in a subject line, avert your eyes, lace up your politically correct boots realtight and run as fast as you can to the nearest DSFSP (Designated Snow Flake Safe Place).

They wouldn't let me in. Apparently you have to be aregistered repuglican. You know, the ones that hide when children arebeing shot.Can you sponsor me ?TIA[]'s

Post by ShadowThey wouldn't let me in. Apparently you have to be aregistered repuglican. You know, the ones that hide when children arebeing shot.

Really? Have you reviewed which bunch of fucking snowflakes couldn't andSTILL CAN'T HANDLE the election results

You mean the Facebook guy ? What's his name ? Dumb Fuckersberg? No, something like that though.Yes, he's avoiding the press. But the people that weredeceived by his fake posts will probably forget they elected Putin'scandidate, and go back to reading his #FACENEWS. And believing it.Not that Hillary would have been much better than Trump butworse is impossible.

But I was referring to the armed guard that hid while thechildren in the school were being shot. The NRA is keepingmysteriously quiet about that.Do you reckon he would have passed a mental evaluation ?[]'s

Your point being that if he was white he would have had thesentence reduced ?

Simple solution Boyo. When you see the words "black" or "white"in a subject line, avert your eyes, lace up your politically correct boots realtight and run as fast as you can to the nearest DSFSP (Designated Snow Flake Safe Place).

They wouldn't let me in. Apparently you have to be aregistered repuglican. You know, the ones that hide when children arebeing shot.

You seem a little confused. It was a Democrat Broward County Deputy Sheriff, whoworked for the Democrat Sheriff of Broward County, who hid outside whilethose 17 kids and and staff were being shot to death inside that school.

BTW, what have you done to see that, the Democrat Broward County Sheriffwas fired? Because last I heard that Democrat Sheriff was still on the joband planning to run for office in the Democrat primary.

Your point being that if he was white he would have had thesentence reduced ?

Simple solution Boyo. When you see the words "black" or "white"in a subject line, avert your eyes, lace up your politically correct boots realtight and run as fast as you can to the nearest DSFSP (Designated Snow Flake Safe Place).

They wouldn't let me in. Apparently you have to be aregistered repuglican. You know, the ones that hide when children arebeing shot.

You seem a little confused. It was a Democrat Broward County Deputy Sheriff, whoworked for the Democrat Sheriff of Broward County, who hid outside whilethose 17 kids and and staff were being shot to death inside that school.BTW, what have you done to see that, the Democrat Broward County Sheriffwas fired? Because last I heard that Democrat Sheriff was still on the joband planning to run for office in the Democrat primary.Irish mikeVery proud not to be a Democrat.

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder and theft.(Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years inprison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would havegiven him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by JudgeSibley Reynolds for "felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theft andthird-degree theft".Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore Countycourthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended hespend 25 years in prison on the charges."I don't think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison," C.J.Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. "We are very pleased withthis sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long timebefore he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25years."

What is the deal with news sites these says that repeat the same blurbover and over again before getting to the actual story?

Here we have "teen laughed at 25 years, gets 65" no less than *five*different times before they get to the comments from the D.A.

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder and theft.(Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years inprison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would havegiven him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by JudgeSibley Reynolds for "felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theft andthird-degree theft".Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore Countycourthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommended hespend 25 years in prison on the charges."I don't think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison," C.J.Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. "We are very pleased withthis sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive, it will be a long timebefore he comes up for even the possibility for parole, at least 20 to 25years."

What is the deal with news sites these says that repeat the same blurbover and over again before getting to the actual story?Here we have "teen laughed at 25 years, gets 65" no less than *five*different times before they get to the comments from the D.A.

I wonder if this is a racist journalist's way to rub in just how stupidshe thinks Lakeith Smith is? That level of redundancy seems like reallybad editing to me. It's even worse than one of my current pet peeveswhere they quote someone's tweet in full, then reproduce it, in full, inTwitter format right below. For pity's sake, just show it once, not twice!

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years inprison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would havegiven him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by JudgeSibley Reynolds for "felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theftand third-degree theft".Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore Countycourthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommendedhe spend 25 years in prison on the charges."I don't think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,"C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. "We are verypleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive,it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibilityfor parole, at least 20 to 25 years."

What is the deal with news sites these says that repeat the same blurbover and over again before getting to the actual story?Here we have "teen laughed at 25 years, gets 65" no less than *five*different times before they get to the comments from the D.A.

I wonder if this is a racist journalist's way to rub in just how stupidshe thinks Lakeith Smith is?

No, this is a pervasive phenomenon that has emerged on news websites inthe last couple of years regardless of the story's subject matter.

You get the headline, then a sub-headline (which repeats the info in theheadline, just in a smaller font), then usually an embedded video whichyou have to act fast to stop blasting a commercial in your face, thenbelow the video is a summary of the headline (in case you missed it thefirst two times), then the actual story finally starts, the firstparagraph of which is usually just a reiteration of the previous threeblurbs.

It's absolutely ridiculous.

Then there's the way many news sites (and newspapers, too), treat everysentence as a new paragraph. There literally can't be more than oneperiod per paragraph for a lot of these sites. It's bizarre.

Same with quoting people. If the person says more than two sentences,the writer can't just provide the entire quote all at once. Eachsentence has to be broken up with a some sort of qualifier, usually for'drama', as if the function of news reporting is to provide drama.

For example, say today's media attended the Gettysburg Address andwanted to include a quote from the speech. The proper way to do it wouldbe to set it off in an indented block of text:

We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come todedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place forthose who here gave their lives that that nation might live. Itis altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in alarger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- wecan not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, whostruggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power toadd or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember whatwe say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

But this how the media of today would write it.

Standing before the crowd, Lincoln intoned gravely, "We are met on agreat battlefield of that war."

He then added, "We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as afinal resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nationmight live."

"It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in alarger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can nothallow -- this ground," Lincoln told the crowd huddled against theNovember chill.

The president continued, "The brave men, living and dead, who struggledhere, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."

As the crowd looked solemnly on, Lincoln intoned, "The world will littlenote, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget whatthey did here."

Ugh.

Post by RhinoIt's even worse than one of my current pet peeveswhere they quote someone's tweet in full, then reproduce it, in full, inTwitter format right below. For pity's sake, just show it once, not twice!

Yes, that's annoying, too. I'm sure their reason for doing it is so thatpeople whose browsers block Twitter (like my work computer does), andtherefore won't see the embed, will still see the text of the tweet.

BTR1701Then there's the way many news sites (and newspapers, too),treat every sentence as a new paragraph. There literally can'tbe more than one period per paragraph for a lot of these sites.It's bizarre.

I’ve noticed this is frequently the case with British news websitesfor some reason.

Post by i***@gmail.com"A black Alabama teen turns down 25-year plea deal, gets sentenced to 65years instead - and laughs"By Kathleen JoyceLakeith Smith, 18, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on murder andtheft. (Elmore County Jail)An Alabama teen laughed Thursday as a judge sentenced him to 65 years inprison for murder and theft after he rejected a plea deal that would havegiven him 25 years behind bars.Lakeith Smith, 18, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 65 years by JudgeSibley Reynolds for "felony murder, armed burglary, second-degree theftand third-degree theft".Smith smiled and laughed while being sentenced at the Elmore Countycourthouse. He had turned down a plea deal that would have recommendedhe spend 25 years in prison on the charges."I don't think Mr. Smith will be smiling long when he gets to prison,"C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney, said. "We are verypleased with this sentence. Because the sentences are consecutive,it will be a long time before he comes up for even the possibilityfor parole, at least 20 to 25 years."

What is the deal with news sites these says that repeat the same blurbover and over again before getting to the actual story?Here we have "teen laughed at 25 years, gets 65" no less than *five*different times before they get to the comments from the D.A.

I wonder if this is a racist journalist's way to rub in just how stupidshe thinks Lakeith Smith is?

No, this is a pervasive phenomenon that has emerged on news websites inthe last couple of years regardless of the story's subject matter.You get the headline, then a sub-headline (which repeats the info in theheadline, just in a smaller font), then usually an embedded video whichyou have to act fast to stop blasting a commercial in your face, thenbelow the video is a summary of the headline (in case you missed it thefirst two times), then the actual story finally starts, the firstparagraph of which is usually just a reiteration of the previous threeblurbs.It's absolutely ridiculous.Then there's the way many news sites (and newspapers, too), treat everysentence as a new paragraph. There literally can't be more than oneperiod per paragraph for a lot of these sites. It's bizarre.Same with quoting people. If the person says more than two sentences,the writer can't just provide the entire quote all at once. Eachsentence has to be broken up with a some sort of qualifier, usually for'drama', as if the function of news reporting is to provide drama.For example, say today's media attended the Gettysburg Address andwanted to include a quote from the speech. The proper way to do it wouldWe are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come todedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place forthose who here gave their lives that that nation might live. Itis altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in alarger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- wecan not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, whostruggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power toadd or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember whatwe say here, but it can never forget what they did here.But this how the media of today would write it.Standing before the crowd, Lincoln intoned gravely, "We are met on agreat battlefield of that war."He then added, "We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as afinal resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nationmight live.""It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in alarger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can nothallow -- this ground," Lincoln told the crowd huddled against theNovember chill.The president continued, "The brave men, living and dead, who struggledhere, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."As the crowd looked solemnly on, Lincoln intoned, "The world will littlenote, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget whatthey did here."Ugh.

Post by RhinoIt's even worse than one of my current pet peeveswhere they quote someone's tweet in full, then reproduce it, in full, inTwitter format right below. For pity's sake, just show it once, not twice!

Yes, that's annoying, too. I'm sure their reason for doing it is so thatpeople whose browsers block Twitter (like my work computer does), andtherefore won't see the embed, will still see the text of the tweet.

I could completely understand that version of Lincoln if it had been a2 1/2 speech like the speech given just before Lincoln's.

The Gettysberg address is 3 paragraphs long. Most could read it inunder 5 minutes which is a big part of why the speech was so memorable- cramming so much into such a short space.

Even the Churchill "We shall never surrender" speech was 15-20 minuteslong - but nobody ever remembers anything except the last 30 seconds.